Why do I get a rash when I wear metal jewelry?

Question

Also, it's not just reserved to jewelry, if the metal zipper on a shirt has no inside lining I also get a rash from it. I can only wear gold, and some silver, which is annoying because I don't want to spend a fortune on jewelry, and if I could wear metal, I would. Anyway, I was wondering why metal causes my skin to react this way. Is there a way I could still wear metal without getting a rash? Also, is there any metalic-looking jewelry that would not cause this reaction?

I want to get some inexpensive jewelry that is not made of silver, gold, plastic, stone or crystal. What are my options then, since metal is out of the question too?

Answer 1

You are allergic to one or more metals. The most common one is nickel.

You can wear necklaces and bracelets strung on elastic, string, or ribbon. Some jewelry is advertised as "hypoallergenic" which means it is less likely to trigger a reaction. If you can determine which metal (or metals) give you a rash you may be able to find jewelry that doesn't contain it. Try seeing a dermatologist.

Here is more information:
http://www.aad.org/public/News/NewsReleases/Press+Release+Archives/Skin+Conditions/FowlerMetalItch.htm

Answer 2

You are allergic to nickel. So am I and I also thought I could never wear jewelry again. But I can wear 24k gold and any nickel free jewelry. I order most of my jewelry and all of my watches on line. Go to simplywhispers.com and you will find their catalogs and can send for a catalog or order on-line. They have very reasonable prices and it's the only place I've ever found watches that I can wear. Most other watches have surgical steel backs and I can't wear those but can from this site because they don't have nickel. I also break out from the snap on my jeans and cover that with a piece of tape on the inside.
But do check out simply whispers. You won't be sorry.

Answer 3

I also am allergic to metals touching my skin.. also another strange thing, I cant wear watches.. I noticed they all stop running around a month after purchasing and no matter what the watch repairer does, he cant get it going.. I was finally told that I have a high acid content in the moisture of my skin that reacts with metals causing an alergic reaction and corrodes the inner workings of watches so much so that they all die... Go figure?!!!.. I just use a little charm watch I carry in my purse now.. or my cell phone clock

Answer 4

You are most likely allergic to nickel which is found in a lot of jewelry. Some jewelry is a mix of good metal with some nickel in too to help cut the cost.

Answer 5

well first u can always get a rash by metal jewelry
its just the type of metal like if its iron or some thing of that kind.
because its just how your body acts to that type of metal
like iron i get a rash with iron. i cant even really hold it cause i get a really bad rash. but i have a silver ring on my finger and it feels fine. just try and see what works with u.
hope i am a help with your problem.

Answer 6

You are allergic to cheap jewelry. As stated above, a lot of cheap jewelry has nickel in it. As well as zippers and what not.

Surgical steel should help. Surgical steel is common to do body piercings with (professional. Not ear piercing at the mall, that is unsafe and they use cheap jewelry as well) and it's because most people don't react to it.

Good luck trying to find jewelry!

Answer 7

alot of people are allergic to jewelry that isnt at least a semi precious metal.some peoples skin turns green and others get a rash like you.try buying things made of surgical steel if possible.try silverflake.com